A “Manual on hate speech online for educators” in Armenian language was publicly presented in hybrid format, at the presence of representatives from the local schools, Yerevan municipality, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and representatives of Human Rights Defender’s office, the Delegation of European Union to Armenia and the Council of Europe.

The discussion thereby organised aimed to promote the developed tool, intended to provide educators with useful knowledge and skills for combating hate speech in the digital environment, when dealing with pupils and youngsters. The Manual specifically targets the issues of bullying and cyberbullying aiming at better protection of children's rights.

Hate speech covers many forms of expressions which advocate, incite, promote or justify hatred, violence and discrimination against a person or group of persons for a variety of reasons. It negatively affects individuals, groups and societies in a variety of ways and with different degrees of severity, including by instilling fear in and causing humiliation to those it targets. Youth is particularly vulnerable to bullying, among the forms of hate speech. Through educational programs and activities, there is a need to work with youngsters to raise their awareness on hate speech and the danger on individuals and to the society as a whole; at the same time, it is important to make clear that hate speech is not freedom of speech.

The conclusion of the event was that hate speech is an important and sensitive topic in nowadays Armenia. It requires action and cooperation of all relevant actors and further relating activities should involve schools, children, parents, different institutions, and society as a whole – all contributing to an healthy and safe environment for the development of children including through promoting counter-speech and dialogue. 

The Manual was prepared and this event organised in cooperation with the Human Rights Defender’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, in the framework of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe project: “Strengthening access to justice through non-judicial redress mechanisms for victims of discrimination, hate crime and hate speech in Eastern Partnership countries”, implemented under the programme "Partnership for Good Governance II" (2019-2022).